SANA'A/RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian government did not meet any demands from a group of Yemeni kidnappers for the release of the Kingdom's diplomat in that country, said Ambassador Osama Nuqali, head of the Information Administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Saeed Al-Malki, the Saudi diplomat, was released Tuesday after being held for 11 days by tribesmen in Yemen's Sana'a region. He arrived in the Kingdom on Wednesday to the relief and joy of his family. Nuqali said joint efforts contributed to Al-Malki's release, noting the significant role played by Yemeni tribesmen. Ali Bin Muhammad Al-Hamdan, the Saudi Ambassador in Yemen, said he was delighted at the release of Al-Malki without giving in to the kidnappers' demands. He said the Kingdom will pursue the kidnappers legally. Speaking to Saudi Press Agency at a ceremony at the embassy in Yemen Tuesday, he said the government of Saudi Arabia will not give in to such “cheap extortion”. Any grievances with the Kingdom should be addressed through official government channels. Al-Malki was received in a celebratory atmosphere when he arrived at King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh Wednesday. Al-Malki thanked the government for its support. He expressed his gratitude to the King, the Crown Prince, the Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior for their concern during his abduction. Al-Malki said he was grateful to everyone for their support and said his return to diplomatic work in Yemen “is to be determined by officials at the ministry”. Al-Malki's brother, Husam, said he could not describe his feelings. “We cried more than we talked when we met after he was released. I thank the King, the Crown Prince, the Second Deputy Premier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, foreign ministry's Undersecretary Prince Khaled Bin Saud Bin Khaled, Ambassador Ali Al-Hamdan, Sheikhs of Bani Dhabyan tribes and everyone else who contributed to my brother's release.” Husam spoke of the “difficult times” the family went through during the time Al-Malki was detained. “His mother never slept and kept praying and asking Allah to bring him home safely. She did not believe the news until Saeed called her himself.” Foreigners are kidnapped by Yemeni tribesmen from time to time to pressure the authorities to meet certain demands, mostly the release of prisoners or building of roads. No less than 200 foreigners have been kidnapped in Yemen over the last 15 years.
